June 29-30 are free fishing days in New York

by jmaloni

Press release

Sat, Jun 22nd 2013 07:00 am

Enjoy
a free weekend of fishing in New York

As
part of Gov. Cuomo's NY's Open for Hunting and Fishing
initiative, New York residents and visitors may fish for free without
a fishing license in any of the state's 7,500 lakes and ponds or
50,000 miles of rivers and streams during the weekend of June 29-30,
state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe
Martens said. Saltwater anglers may also fish in
marine waters or for migratory marine fish species without enrolling
in the Recreational
Marine Fishing Registry.

"Getting
more people involved in the sport of fishing is an important
component of Gov. Cuomo's NY's Open for Hunting and Fishing
Initiative," Martens said. "This is the perfect time to introduce
someone to the sport of fishing or invite a friend or relative from
out of state to enjoy the great fishing the state has to offer."

NY's
Open for Hunting and Fishing initiative includes the streamlining of
hunting and fishing licensing and reducing license fees, improved
access for fishing at various sites across the state, stocking as
much as 900,000 pounds of fish raised at DEC hatcheries, and
increasing hunting opportunities in various regions.

To
further encourage fishing in New York, Cuomo signed legislation last
year expanding the opportunity for free fishing clinics, allowing
more New Yorkers to experience fishing for the first time by enabling
DEC to increase the number of free clinics that can be held
throughout the state. The free fishing days program began in 1991 to
allow all people the opportunity to sample the fishing New York has
to offer.New
York's sport fishing industry generates an estimated $1.8 billion in
economic activity annually, supporting nearly 17,000 jobs.

For
a listing of free fishing events, refer to the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html.
The public is advised to check back regularly as new events are
regularly added to the list.

Anglers
are reminded that, although a fishing license is not required during
the free fishing day weekend, all other fishing regulations remain in
effect.